My folks were strong supporters of the church; so, I was in church a good bit of my life.
I had wonderful parents! My Mom was the primary parent; I always had the sense that she held things together. My Dad was more quiet and far less affectionate. I knew my Dad loved me because my Mom constantly told me that he did!
I rarely had physical contact with my Dad. He had been raised by an alcoholic Dad, so I think he had some deficits when it came to expressions of affection. However, there were two times when we connected physically.
Every night, when my Mom would prepare me for bed, she would send me to kiss my father 'Good-Night'. He would drop his newspaper and I would crawl up on his lap and kiss his cheek. It tickled my lips because of his whiskers.
We also touched with some frequency in church. Occasionally, I would sit between my parents. This allowed me to raid my Dad's suit pocket for candy. I would find prizes like root beer barrels, or those pink 'Pepto-Bismol' candies!
Other times, I would lay with my head on my Mom's lap and play with my Dad's hand - which was draped around her shoulder. I would stick my little fingers in between his thick, rough fingers. Suddenly, they would close like a vice and I was caught. Gradually, he would release me and the game would start all over again!
When I became a Dad, I rarely had the opportunity to sit with my family in church; I was always on the platform. I loved Family Camp, because it gave me the privilege of sitting with my family! Even today, I rarely get to sit with Debbie in church. That's one of the down-sides of being a pastor!
I'd like to encourage dads who still have children at home, and husbands who get to sit with your wives in church. Use this time to show affection for your loved ones. Put your arm around your wife and squeeze her. Hold your children on your lap. Let them hear you pray and sing. I remember that when I would whisper an 'Amen', my kids would often mimic my words. That's a good thing! Make it happen!
My Dad: Leonard Wilson Haire! :-)
